“Good enough! I was afraid they’d get here before us. Where do you suppose the baker put the cakes?”
“Mumps heard Lee say under this apple-tree.”
“I don’t see them.”
After that the two cadets became silent as they moved around in the vicinity of the apple-tree. In the meantime Pepper pinched Henry’s arm.
“They are after your strawberry shortcakes,” he whispered. “What a nerve!”
“Yes, and Mumps, the sneak, told them,” murmured Henry.
“Did you tell Mumps you were to have the cakes?”
“Tell Mumps? Not much! I have no use for that sneak! I suppose he must have been listening at the door of your dormitory—it’s just like him. If I ever get the chance, I’ll——”
“Hush! They are coming this way!” interrupted Pepper. “Crouch low, or they’ll see us!”
The two cadets got down in the deepest shadows they could find. Coulter and Ritter came quite close, but did not discover the pair. The two bullies looked up and down the road.